Strawberry plant named `Aires`

ABSTRACT

A strawberry plant producing conical-shaped fruit and having inflorescence extending beneath the foliage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new variety of strawberry was created in a breeding program by mycrossing two parents from among a group of seedlings which were obtainedfrom a free pollination of 32 different varieties and seedlings; inparticular, by crossing as seed parent a variety designated 86-037 andas a pollen parent a variety designated 86-096. Both parental varietiesare proprietary and have not been commercialized.

The resulting seedling of the new variety was grown and asexuallyreproduced by runners in Soria, Spain, 3°W., 41°N., 3000 feet elevation.Clones of the new variety were further asexually propagated andextensively tested. This propagation and testing has demonstrated thatthe combination of traits disclosed herein which characterize the newvariety are fixed and retained true to type through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry varietygenus L. fragaria. The varietal denomination of the new variety is`Aires`. Among the charcteristics which distinguish the new variety fromother varieties of which I am aware are a combination of traits whichinclude inflorescence that appears beneath the foliage and abundantproduction of conical-shaped fruit.

COMPARISON TO CLOSEST VARIETY

The new variety is closest to the variety `Selva` (U.S. Plant Pat. No.5,266), but is distinguished therefrom by the following characteristicspossessed by `Aires` which are different than, or not possessed by,Selva.

1. `Selva` plant is flatter and less vigorous than `Aires`.

2. Terminal leaflet of `Selva` is longer than broad whereas in `Aires`it is as long as broad.

3. Shape of the terminal leaflet base of `Selva` is acute and in `Aires`it is rounded.

4. Inflorescence in `Selva` is level with foliage and in `Aires` it isbeneath.

5. `Selva's petals are as long as broad. In `Aires` the petals arebroader than long. The petal size of `Aires` is about 10 to 11 mm wideand about 8 to 9 mm long, whereas `Selva` petals are about 9 mm wide andabout 9 mm long.

6. `Selva` Fruit is bigger than `Aires` fruit.

7. Fruit of `Selva` is less bright but more even in color than `Aires`.As can be seen by the comparison in FIGS. 8 and 9, the color of `Selva`is darker than that of the new variety (designated 9079060).

As can be seen by commparison of FIGS. 9 and 10, the fruit color of newvariety is brighter red than that of `Selva`. The difference in the coreis also evident from the illustrations.

8. Insertion of achenes in fruit is level with surface whereas in`Aires` insertion is below surface.

9. Insertion of calyx in fruit is level in `Selva` whereas in `Aires` itis in a basin.

10. `Selva` fruit is firmer than `Aires`.

11. Flesh color of `Selva` is orange-red and is pale red in `Aires`.

12. `Selva` fruit is less acid than `Aires`.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATION

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new variety,designated 90-79-060 in the illustrations, including fruit, foliage andflower, in color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make incolor illustrations of this character.

FIG. 1 shows typical fruit in cross section illustrating the typicalflesh and flesh coloration, conspicuous core and core cavity and conicalshape;

FIG. 2 shows whole and sliced, detached fruit;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the fruit against the background of the top surfaceof the foliage;

FIG. 5 shows the flower and reproductive organs of the new variety;

FIG. 6 shows the top and undersurface of a typical foliose of the newvariety;

FIG. 7 illustration shows a typical leave of the new variety;

FIGS. 8 and 9 show the fruit of the new variety (designated 9079060) and`Selva`, respectively; and

FIGS. 10 and 11 show cross-section of the fruit of the new variety(designated 9079060) and `Selva`, respectively.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description of the new variety is based uponobservations taken of plants and fruit grown "underglass", i.e.undertunnel, in a farm in Cartaya (Huelva), Spain, 7°W., 37°N., 45 feetelevation.

The description is in accordance with UPOV terminology and the colorterminology herein is in accordance with The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart (R.H.S.C.C.). The color descriptions and other phenotypicaldescriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptionsdepending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic andcultural conditions.

Propagation

The new variety is principally propagated by way of runners. Althoughpropagation by runners is presently preferred, other known methods ofpropagating may be used. Strawberry plants root well aftertransplanting.

The term "blistering" used herein refers to the texture or rugosityinherent to leaves and is generally a constant characteristic.

`Aires` is a day neutral variety. It is about as strongly day-neutral asSelva, and less strong than `Irvine` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,172) or Fern(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,267). `Aires` does not need any additionaltreatment to assure a sufficient flowering.

Production: Plant issued from high elevation nursery.

Date of planting.--Jun. 30, 1993.

Number of repetitions.--1.

Plants per repetition.--40.

    ______________________________________                                                                   TOTAL  TOTAL                                                                  YIELD  YIELD  SIZE                                 CULTIVAR G/P1 1.sup.a                                                                           G/P1 2.sup.a                                                                           G/P1   KG/HA  G/P1                                 ______________________________________                                        AUTUMN 1993: 09-14/11-22. 9 HARVESTINGS                                       AIRES    194       45      239     8.640 18                                   SELVA     75       28      103     3.708 18.5                                 SPRING 1994: 05-02/07-18 10 HARVESTINGS                                       AIRES    823      147      970    34.920 18                                   SELVA    729      119      848    30.528 18                                   ______________________________________                                    

The following is a comparison of features of the new variety `Aires`,and of `Selva`.

    ______________________________________                                                        `AIRES`                                                                              `SELVA`                                                ______________________________________                                        Firmness (kg)     1.1      1.2                                                PH                3.09     3.12                                               Acidity as Anhidride                                                                            1.00     0.93                                               Citric (%)                                                                    Soluble Solids (° Brix)                                                                  5.2      7.7                                                ______________________________________                                    

As can be seen, the fruit of `Selva` is firmer and less acid than thatof `Aires`.

The following additional information is provided to further describe thenew variety.

Plant:

Habit.--Flat globose.

Density.--Medium.

Vigour.--Medium.

Height.--About 16 cm.

Width.--About 21 cm.

Leaf:

Green color of upper side.--Dark.

Length.--About 9.5 cm.

Width.--About 12.5 cm.

Cross Section.--Slightly convex.

Blistering.--Medium.

Number of leaflets.--Three.

Terminal leaflet:

Length/width ratio.--As long as broad.

Length.--About 6 cm.

Width.--About 6 cm.

Shape of base.--Rounded.

Shape of teeth.--Obtuse.

Petiole:

Position of hairs.--Outwards.

Length.--About 9.2 cm.

Stipule:

Anthocyanin coloration.--Weak.

Stolons:

Number.--Few.

Anthocyanin coloration: Medium.

Thickness.--Thick.

Pubescence.--Medium.

Inflorescence:

Position relative to foliage.--Beneath.

Flower:

Size.--Medium.

Size of calyx relative to corolla.--Smaller.

Size of inner calyx relative to outer.--Same size.

Spacing of petals.--Overlapping.

Petal:

Length/width ratio.--Broader than long.

Fruiting truss:

Attitude.--Semi-erect.

Fruit:

Ratio of length/maximum width.--Longer than broad.

Primary fruit.--

Length.--About 4.6 cm.

Width.--About 3.5 cm.

Secondary fruit.--

Length.--About 4 cm.

Width.--About 2.7 cm.

Size.--Medium.

Predominant shape.--Conical.

Difference in shapes between primary and secondary fruits.--Moderate.

Band without achenes.--Absent or very narrow.

Color of achenes.--Amber red.

Unevenness of surface.--Absent of very weak.

Color.--Red.

Evenness of color.--Slightly uneven.

Glossiness.--Strong.

Insertion of achenes.--Below surface.

Insertion of calyx.--In a basin.

Pose of the calyx segment.--Reflexed.

Size of calyx in relation to fruit diameter.--Larger.

Adherence of calyx.--Strong.

Firmness.--Firm.

Color of flesh.--Pale rose.

Evenness of color of the flesh.--Slightly uneven.

Sweetness.--Medium.

Acidity.--Strong.

Time of flowering.--Very early.

Time of ripening.--Very early.

Type of bearing.--Fully remontant.

Chilling.--Chilling to induce flower production is desirable for the newvariety. Note: The growing period in Huelva, Spain though obviouslydependent upon environmental conditions, is between the end of Jan. andNov. of each year. `Aires` is day neutral variety and the planting dategenerally extends to Oct. of the previous year. Maximum production tendsto be in Apr. with a second peak in Oct.

Planting date.--Oct. 27, 1993.

10% Flowering.--Dec. 2, 1993.

First mature fruits.--Jan. 14, 1994.

Maturity (15-20 gms/plant).--Jan. 27, 1994.

Disease resistance: No special or particular sensitivity to disease orparasite has been noted for `Aires`.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant,substantially as shown and described.